1. NC RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES
CHANGES & GUIDANCE

2. What is RDS? Residency Determination Service (ncresidency.org)
Centralized system that provides one residency determination for admissions applications to multiple North Carolina public colleges and universities
CRITERIA FOR OBTAINING RESIDENCY STATUS HAS NOT CHANGED
Mandated by NC legislature
Undergraduates began using RDS in Spring 2017
Graduate and professional student populations statewide are transitioning throughout Fall 2018 term

3. What does RDS mean for graduate applicants?
Applicants for admission to 2019 terms who claim to be NC residents while completing the admissions application are routed to RDS for a residency determination
Applicants who do not claim NC residency during the application process are coded as Non-Residents and do not go to RDS at this time. They will likely engage RDS for the first time during their second year.

4. WHAT AN APPLICANT SEES IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS APPLICATION

5. What does RDS mean for enrolled graduate students?
Students who are already residents do not need to take any action
Students should engage RDS no earlier than 365 days after arriving in NC and completing domiciliary acts
Timing becomes much more individualized
Same RDS process as for applicants
Students must notify UNC-CH when they obtain residency in RDS (via their ConnectCarolina StudentCenter – see screenshots)
Current policy: RDS determinations on or before the census date are applied to the current term. Determinations after census are applied to the next term

6. ConnectCarolina StudentCenter View

7. ConnectCarolina StudentCenter View

8. The RDS “interview” process
Students who engage RDS will be asked a series of questions designed to determine residency
Do you have a NC drivers license? What is the number?
Did you file a NC tax return last year?
Students will not be asked to upload documents; the RDS system queries state databases
The evidence required to prove residency has not changed

9. Takeaways
Different process and timing, but overarching concepts and fundamentals remain the same
Students can apply NOW for Spring 2019 residency
Graduate School remains involved in discussions regarding process and business rules
Graduate School will continue to act as a resource for students and programs
Informational sessions for programs and students
Ongoing website updates and information circulated

10. Transition to RDS Go-Live
Applicants to Graduate School programs – August 1, 2018
Enrolled Students – after The Graduate School’s Fall reclassification application closed on September 4, 2018
RDS transmits residency information to institutions and updates campus systems
RDS decision overrides existing residency determinations
If you have questions – ASK

11. Additional RDS Resources
RDS (ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo)
RDS Campus Help Line (for staff only):
10 Things to Know Before You Start RDS (for students/applicants)
Office of the University Registrar
Web: registrar.unc.edu/academic-services/residency
Telephone: